Community Newsletter

This week NSW residents have been given more certainty for how the state and Greater Sydney will reopen. But if you have been confused by the announcements, you’re not alone.

The Premier has been openly speaking about what will happen when the double vaccination rate reaches 70%. At the current time of writing, October 11 is the date where the state is expected to have achieved the 70% rate and schools will return on October 18.
This week we were also given certainty of what will happen at the 80% mark. Below, my team and I have condensed what this means for you, your families and friends:
 

70% DOUBLE VACCINATION RATE

The following rules only applies to people over 16 who are fully vaccinated or those with medical exemptions, unless specified:

• Up to 5 visitors will be allowed in homes where all adults are vaccinated (this does not include children 12 or under)
   
• Residents of aged care homes will be able to receive two fully-vaccinated visitors each day (children under the age of 12, who are not eligible for vaccines, will be excluded from that cap)
   
• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings
   
• The restrictions to stay within your LGA or 5km from your home will be lifted
   
• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to 1 person per 4sqm inside and 1 person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside. 
   
• Retail stores can reopen under the 1 person per 4sqm rule (those who are not fully vaccinated continue to only be able to access critical retail)
   
• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5 clients per premise
   
• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the 1 person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people
   
• Sporting facilities including outdoor swimming pools can reopen
   
• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
   
• Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household. Examples of indoor venues that they can only attend if they are with a vaccinated member of their household include: an indoor hospitality avenue, entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities.

For more information on the 70% target go THIS LINK

80% DOUBLE VACCINATION RATE

The following rules only applies to people over 16 who are fully vaccinated or those with medical exemptions, unless specified:

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)
   
• Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings.
   
• Up to 200 people can attend Covid-safe events.
   
• Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events.
   
• Community sport will be permitted
   
• Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of two people.
   
• Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 sq metres (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click-and-collect).
   
• Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped).
  
  
• Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sq m inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway.
   
• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 20 people per class.
   
• Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres and music halls) can operate with one person per 4 sqm or 75% fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger).
   
• Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4 sqm.
   
• Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed.
   
• Travel to Regional NSW
  
  For more information on the NSW Roadmap to Reopening go to THIS LINK 
  
  
  Congratulations to the Sydney Institute of Marine Science
  
  

Congratulations to the team at SIMS - the Sydney Institute of Marine Science at Chowder Bay.

It’s with great pride that their “Living Seawall” project has been chosen as a finalist for one of the most prestigious environmental prizes!

A few months ago the team contacted me to write a letter of support for the prestigious Earthshot Prize, which has been established by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I had no hesitation in supporting this wonderful local project.

As the team point out, The Seawall project lies at the “intersection of ecology, architecture, design, and engineering” so it is a very worthy finalist, demonstrating how science is translated into action to repair our planet.

This is amazing news and shows that Australian scientists continue to be at the forefront of environmental science.

For more information visit THIS LINK

GET VACCINATED

Finally, I urge you all to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Pharmacies are now offering the vaccines and you can find your closest pharmacy here. Please contact my office if you need help booking on (02) 9977 6411.

My team and I are constantly working to find solutions for you, your family and friends and our general community. You can keep up to date at our website www.zalisteggall.com.au or by calling the office on 9977 6411 if you have concerns.